Fight against texting and driving soars to the sky

AKRON -- The battle to prevent texting while driving is going to the sky.

All day Thursday, Goodyear says its fleet of blimps will be deployed to promote messages from the "It Can Wait" campaign, which encourages people to never text and drive.

"Goodyear is pleased to join this pledge campaign to address the significant risks associated texting and driving" said Paul Fitzhenry, Goodyear's senior vice president, global communications. "'It Can Wait'" conveys a simple but powerful message and aligns with Goodyear's priority to promote safety on our roads through programs that increase safety awareness and encourage safe behaviors."

Beginning in May, Goodyear blimps started carrying the "It Can Wait" messaging over major events such as the NBA Finals, U.S. Open golf, NASCAR Sprint Cup races, the X Games, multiple Major League Baseball contests and college football games.

The three blimps -- based in Akron, Pompano Beach, Fla. and Carson, Calif. -- travel on average a combined 50,000 miles a year and display various messages to millions of people.

To date, "It Can Wait" has inspired more than 2.5 million pledges to never text while behind the wheel.